DO YOU NEED TO BE FEARED TO BE A GREAT LEADER?

DO YOU MODEL YOURSELF ON ALAN SUGAR’S PERSONALITY?

Maybe you believe that fear is necessary to get the job done, that your employees will be more successful if you demand a lot from them and push them beyond their limits.

But is being feared really all it’s cracked up to be? Figures actually suggest that if you are disliked, your chance of being rated a great leader by your employees is only about one in 2,000.

Fearful leadership tends to result in lower morale and job satisfaction among the workforce, as it can undermine intellectual potential, creativity, and problem solving.

HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOU WORKED FOR SOMEONE FRIGHTENING?

It would result in additional stress and reduced productivity! Sometimes the greater good of the company demands unpopular decisions. You need to have the strength to lead your team through whatever challenges come your way and make difficult choices. 

HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOU WORKED FOR SOMEONE FRIGHTENING?

The best leaders find a balance between being feared and loved; they project strength but only do this after they have established trust with their employees. Rather than aspiring to be completely feared or loved, authentic leaders focus their efforts on earning respect. When you have a foundation of respect, it’s a lot easier to increase productivity within the workplace.

HOW DO YOU GET RESPECT?

LISTEN + CREATE A RELAXED ENVIRONMENT

Acknowledge and appreciate suggestions from your team and welcome constructive dialogue, regardless of hierarchy or rank. If you consider their suggestions, people will become more engaged and productive

Create a ‘humanised workplace’ with a sense of community, where employees put the good of the company before themselves. Create a relaxed atmosphere by emphasising collaboration and encouraging fun.

BE ASSERTIVE + PROVIDE FEEDBACK

Don’t be afraid to make difficult choices, but also build a bridge between employee and employer to succeed as a trusted leader.

Be honest when performances need to be enhanced but encourage rather than berate. This will gain you significant respect as an authentic leader.

CHANGE COURSE WHEN NECESSARY + RECOGNISE GOOD WORK

Don’t be afraid to change course after getting employee feedback. You will create a humanistic authentic work environment and also teach others to take responsibility.

Set up an informal reward system that can become part of the everyday culture of the business. This will make people feel valued.

HAVE A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOUR + DON’T BE A PUSHOVER

Don’t take everything so seriously that you can’t laugh on occasion. A little light-heartedness can make work much more enjoyable, particularly when the pressure is high.

If you try too hard to be liked, you won’t get the respect you deserve. You have to walk a ‘tightrope’ between the consent you must win and the control you must exert.

BE AUTHENTIC

Make sure your executive presence is genuine and true. Don’t have a ‘manufactured’ image – have a real one!

Some leaders believe that they need to be feared at all times, others aspire to be loved by everyone. Instead of jumping to either of these extremes, strive for the middle ground to earn your team’s respect.

FINALLY

Don’t be afraid to make unpopular decisions and challenge difficult people – but also value your employees and gain their trust. By doing so, you can get the best out of your employees and become a great leader.

JIM ROHN

‘The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humour, but without folly’

FIND OUT MORE

If you want to learn more about ways you can enhance your management skills, check out our Power2Manage programmes.

To find out more about Power2Progress visit our website at:

http://www.power2progress.co.uk